The House covened today for the last day of the regular session to pass 45 bills, 11 of which have completed legislative action. Senate amendments on 15 bills were concurred.
Senate Bill 6 was among the bills passed, which would regulate the sale of drug products used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The bill would lower the amount of these drugs one can get over-the-counter per year and would allow counties to vote on whether or not a prescription would be required.
The budget bill, Senate Bill 306, was amended to include aspects of House Bill 4015 and passed. Senate Bill 419 was passed as well, which would create the Overdose Prevention Act. This would create immunity from citation, arrest or prosecution for a person who seeks medical treatment for someone who has suffered from a drug or alcohol overdose.
The House did not concur with the Senate amendments on: House Bill 4298, changing the experience requirements of the composition of the members of the West Virginia Ethics Commission; House Bill 4283, raising the minimum wage; House Bill 4208, banning synthetic hallucinogens; and House Bill 4411, allowing the disposal of drill cuttings and associated drilling waste generated from well sites in commercial solid waste facilities.
The following committees will meet today:
- Conference Committee on House Bill 4619 at 5:35 p.m.
- Conference Committee on House Bill 4236 at 6:00 p.m.
The House is in recess until 6:05 p.m. today.
UPDATE: The House reconvened this evening to pass an additional six bills, including Senate Bill 461. This bill would create the Future Fund, in which 25 percent of the annual revenue in excess of $175 million from the severance tax on oil and natural gas would be despoited beginning July 1, 2014. No money from this fund could be expended or appropriated until the fiscal year of 2020.
Senate Bill 12 was passed, which would permit healthcare providers to expedite care for partners of patients with sexually transmitted diseases without physically examining the partner. This would allow for the prescribing, dispensing, furnishing or providing of prescription antibiotics. Senate Bill 204, relating to crime victims compensation awards, was passed as well.
The House rejected two Senate Joint Resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 12, which proposed the Protecting and Conserving West Virginia’s Water Resources for the Use and Benefit of its Citizens Amendment, was rejected. The House also rejected Senate Joint Resolution 14, which proposed the Future Fund Amendment.
The following committees will meet today:
- Conference Committee on House Bill 4411 at 8:30 p.m. in the Senate Conference Room
The House has recessed for ten minutes.
